What Is HUSKY Health Insurance in CT? 2026 Eligibility Guide

HUSKY Health is the brand name Connecticut uses for its combined Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) and operated through Access Health CT for enrollment, HUSKY provides comprehensive free or near-free medical, behavioral health, dental, vision, and prescription coverage to more than 950,000 Connecticut residents in 2026 — roughly one in four people in the state. HUSKY is divided into four tiers (A, B, C, and D), each serving a distinct population: children and parents (A), CHIP-funded children of moderate-income families (B), aged, blind, and disabled adults (C), and childless low-income adults (D). Connecticut also operates Covered Connecticut (Covered CT), a state-only supplemental program that gives adults between 138% and 175% of the Federal Poverty Level the financial equivalent of HUSKY — $0 premiums, $0 co-pays, $0 deductibles — through the Access Health CT marketplace. This guide explains exactly who qualifies for HUSKY in 2026, what each tier costs, what benefits are included, how to apply, what documents you need, and how HUSKY interacts with Medicare, employer coverage, and the marketplace.

What HUSKY Stands For & How It Actually Works

HUSKY stands for Healthcare for UninSured Kids and Youth — the original 1997 program name when Connecticut launched its Children’s Health Insurance Program under the federal CHIP Act. Over the next two decades, the program was expanded to include parents, pregnant women, childless adults under the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion, and aged/blind/disabled adults previously covered under standalone Medicaid. Today, HUSKY is simply Connecticut’s umbrella brand for all forms of state Medicaid, regardless of the eligibility category. The federal government pays roughly 50% to 64% of HUSKY costs (the higher match for CHIP-funded children and Medicaid-expansion adults), and Connecticut taxpayers fund the remainder through the state general fund.

HUSKY is administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), which determines eligibility, processes applications, and manages renewals. Day-to-day medical management is handled by three Administrative Services Organizations (ASOs) that operate the program on a non-risk basis: Community Health Network of Connecticut (CHNCT) handles medical claims, Beacon Health Options (now Carelon Behavioral Health) manages behavioral health, and the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership (CTDHP) manages dental. Unlike most other states that contract HUSKY-equivalent coverage to private Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) like UnitedHealthcare Community Plan or Anthem Healthkeepers, Connecticut uses a unique self-insured fee-for-service model. This means HUSKY members do not choose a private health plan — they simply have HUSKY, and any provider enrolled with Connecticut Medicaid will accept them.

Enrollment is handled through Access Health CT, the state-based ACA marketplace, which serves as a single front door for both HUSKY Medicaid applications and qualified health plan (QHP) marketplace applications. When a Connecticut resident applies for coverage at AccessHealthCT.com, the system automatically checks Medicaid eligibility first; if the applicant qualifies for HUSKY, they are enrolled in HUSKY (free) rather than offered a paid marketplace plan. If the applicant earns too much for HUSKY but qualifies for Covered CT or Marketplace tax credits, the system routes them accordingly. This single-application model means Connecticut families do not have to choose where to apply — Access Health CT handles the routing automatically.

HUSKY A, B, C, and D — The Four Tiers Explained

HUSKY is divided into four tiers, each serving a different population with different income limits and funding sources. Knowing which tier applies to your household determines your income limit, what you might pay, and which renewal forms you’ll receive.

2026 HUSKY Income Limits — The Exact Numbers

HUSKY uses Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) for HUSKY A (children, parents, pregnant women) and HUSKY D (childless adults) — the same MAGI methodology used by the IRS for tax credits, with a few Medicaid-specific adjustments. HUSKY C (aged/blind/disabled) uses non-MAGI methodology, which includes asset tests and disregards. The Federal Poverty Level guidelines are updated annually by HHS in January; the 2026 figures below are based on the published 2025 FPL guidelines that govern 2026 Medicaid eligibility (Medicaid uses prior-year FPL through the calendar year).

Note that the household-size definition for HUSKY MAGI follows IRS tax household rules: include yourself, your spouse if you file jointly, and anyone you claim as a tax dependent (whether or not they live with you). A pregnant woman counts as herself plus the number of expected children. If you do not file taxes, household size follows physical residence and relationship rules. Income counted is gross MAGI — wages, self-employment net earnings, Social Security (including non-taxable portion for Medicaid), unemployment, pension, and interest — but NOT child support received, SSI, veterans disability, or worker’s comp.

Covered CT — Connecticut

Connecticut is one of only four states (with New York, Minnesota, and the District of Columbia) that operates a state-funded supplemental program covering low-income adults who earn slightly too much for Medicaid but still struggle with Marketplace premiums and cost-sharing. Covered Connecticut, launched in 2021 and expanded multiple times, provides $0 premium, $0 deductible, $0 co-pay marketplace coverage to adults between 138% and 175% of the Federal Poverty Level — the population that would otherwise pay roughly $0-$50/month in Marketplace premiums after Advanced Premium Tax Credits but still face $1,000+ deductibles on Silver plans. The state covers the difference, making Covered CT functionally equivalent to HUSKY for adults in this income band.

Covered CT also includes pediatric, adult dental, and non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) benefits that mirror HUSKY’s, even though the underlying coverage is a private Marketplace Silver plan from Anthem BCBS, ConnectiCare Benefits, or CTcare. To enroll, applicants simply complete the standard Access Health CT application. If income falls between 138% and 175% FPL, the system automatically flags Covered CT eligibility and selects a $0-premium Silver CSR-94 plan (the highest cost-sharing-reduction tier) and then applies state-funded wraparound funding to eliminate the remaining co-pays and deductible. As of late 2025, more than 35,000 Connecticut adults are enrolled in Covered CT.

What HUSKY Covers — Full Benefits List

HUSKY covers all 10 Essential Health Benefits required by the Affordable Care Act, plus several state-funded enhancements not available on most Marketplace plans (non-emergency transportation, adult dental, and full-service vision). The benefit structure is essentially identical across HUSKY A, B, C, and D, with minor co-pay differences in HUSKY B. Below is the comprehensive 2026 HUSKY benefit list.

HUSKY 2026 Covered Services

• Doctor visits — primary care and specialist, unlimited
• Hospital inpatient care — medical, surgical, maternity
• Hospital outpatient services — surgery, observation, infusion
• Emergency room and ambulance — including air ambulance when medically necessary
• Urgent care visits
• Prescription drugs — through the Connecticut Medicaid Preferred Drug List
• Lab work and X-rays — including MRI, CT, ultrasound when ordered
• Maternity care — prenatal, delivery, postpartum, doula services (added 2024)
• Newborn care — automatic HUSKY A enrollment for one year
• Pediatric well-child visits — full EPSDT schedule birth to age 21
• Pediatric and adult dental — cleanings, exams, fillings, extractions, dentures, and root canals
• Vision care — annual exam plus eyeglasses every 2 years for adults (annual for children)
• Behavioral health and mental health — outpatient therapy, psychiatry, intensive outpatient programs
• Substance use disorder treatment — including methadone and buprenorphine maintenance
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
• Durable medical equipment (DME) — wheelchairs, hospital beds, CPAP, walkers
• Home health care — skilled nursing visits, home health aide hours when authorized
• Hospice care
• Family planning services — birth control (including IUD/implant), Plan B, sterilization
• Non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) — free rides to medical appointments via Veyo
• Translation and interpretation services
• Diabetes prevention and self-management programs
• Tobacco cessation counseling and nicotine replacement therapy
• Long-term care (HUSKY C only) — skilled nursing facility, HCBS waivers, PACE

HUSKY Premiums, Co-Pays, and Out-of-Pocket Costs

One of HUSKY’s defining features is how little members pay out of pocket. For the vast majority of enrollees — HUSKY A, HUSKY D, and HUSKY C adults under 100% FPL — there are zero premiums, zero deductibles, and zero co-pays for medical services, prescriptions, dental, vision, and behavioral health. HUSKY B (CHIP) is the only tier with family contributions, and even those are capped at modest levels. HUSKY C members above certain asset thresholds may face a Medicaid ‘spend-down’ obligation, and Long-Term Care HUSKY C members must contribute most of their monthly income toward facility costs after a small Personal Needs Allowance.

HUSKY Prescription Drug Coverage

HUSKY covers prescription drugs through the Connecticut Medicaid Preferred Drug List (PDL), maintained by the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee at DSS. The PDL includes virtually every generic medication and the majority of brand-name drugs in common use, including all standard insulins, most statins, all common blood pressure and depression medications, GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy (with prior authorization for non-diabetic use), and most asthma controllers. For drugs not on the PDL, providers can request prior authorization with clinical justification, which is approved for the majority of legitimate medical needs within 24 hours for standard requests and within 24 hours for urgent requests. HUSKY members pay $0 for prescriptions in HUSKY A, C, and D, and a $3 generic / $5 brand co-pay in HUSKY B Band 2.

HUSKY also coordinates with Medicare Part D for dual-eligible HUSKY C members through the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS / Extra Help) program. Dual-eligibles automatically receive LIS, which caps Medicare Part D co-pays at $1.65 generic / $4.90 brand in 2026 (institutionalized dual-eligibles pay $0). Drugs not covered by Medicare Part D — such as benzodiazepines for certain conditions, OTC items prescribed by a doctor, and certain prescription vitamins — are paid by HUSKY as a wraparound benefit.

Behavioral Health & Substance Use Coverage

HUSKY’s behavioral health benefits are among the most comprehensive in any state Medicaid program, administered by Carelon Behavioral Health (formerly Beacon Health Options) as an Administrative Services Organization. Members can self-refer for outpatient mental health and substance use services — no PCP referral required — to any Connecticut Medicaid-participating provider. Covered services include individual therapy, family therapy, group therapy, psychiatry, medication management, partial hospitalization programs (PHP), intensive outpatient programs (IOP), inpatient psychiatric hospitalization, residential substance use treatment, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone, buprenorphine/Suboxone, or naltrexone/Vivitrol. All services are $0 co-pay for HUSKY A, C, and D members.

Connecticut has also invested heavily in HUSKY-funded crisis services. The state’s Mobile Crisis Intervention Services (MCIS) for adults and Mobile Crisis for children (EMPS) are available 24/7 via 211 — a HUSKY-covered home or community visit by a behavioral health clinician within one hour of dispatch, with follow-up services for up to 45 days. HUSKY also covers peer recovery support, certified peer specialist services, and substance use recovery housing in approved programs.

HUSKY Dental & Vision Benefits

HUSKY dental is administered by the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership (CTDHP), which contracts with thousands of dentists across the state. Adult dental on HUSKY is more comprehensive than most state Medicaid programs — it includes two cleanings and exams per year, X-rays as needed, fillings (composite for anterior teeth, amalgam or composite for posterior), simple and surgical extractions, root canals on anterior and premolar teeth, crowns on covered teeth, partial and full dentures (one set every 8 years), and periodontal scaling/root planing when medically necessary. Cosmetic procedures (whitening, veneers, orthodontics for adults) are not covered. Pediatric dental includes everything above plus medically-necessary orthodontics for children with severe malocclusion approved through CTDHP prior authorization.

HUSKY vision covers one comprehensive eye exam every 12 months for children and every 24 months for adults. Eyeglasses are covered every 12 months for children and every 24 months for adults — frame selection limited to a network of standard frames, but lens upgrades (polycarbonate for children, photochromic, anti-reflective coating) are included when prescribed. Contact lenses are covered when medically necessary (keratoconus, post-cataract, high anisometropia). Routine refractive contacts in lieu of glasses are not covered. Medical eye care — glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration treatment, cataract surgery — is covered under the medical benefit, not the vision benefit.

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)

Connecticut’s HUSKY program includes free non-emergency medical transportation to and from any HUSKY-covered medical, dental, behavioral health, or pharmacy appointment for members who have no other reasonable transportation. The service is administered by Veyo (now operating as Modivcare in some regions) and includes sedan service, wheelchair-accessible vans, and stretcher transport for non-emergency needs. Members must request a ride at least 48 hours in advance through the Veyo member portal or by calling 1-855-478-7350. Same-day urgent rides are available for hospital discharge and urgent appointments. There is no annual ride limit. Members who drive themselves or take public transit can also be reimbursed for mileage and bus fare in some circumstances.

HUSKY C & Long-Term Care / Nursing Home Coverage

HUSKY C includes Connecticut’s Long-Term Care Medicaid program, which pays for skilled nursing facility care, home-and-community-based services (HCBS) waivers, and the PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) model. Eligibility requires both clinical and financial qualification. Clinically, the applicant must require a ‘nursing facility level of care’ as determined by Connecticut’s Long-Term Care Pre-Admission Screening (PASRR). Financially, monthly income up to 300% of the SSI federal benefit rate ($2,901/mo single in 2026) is allowed, and countable assets must be at or below $1,600 for the individual. The community spouse is protected under spousal impoverishment rules — they can retain up to $157,920 in resources (Community Spouse Resource Allowance) and up to $3,948/mo in income (Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance), with the institutionalized spouse’s Medicaid contributing to the gap.

Connecticut has a strict 5-year (60-month) Medicaid look-back period: any uncompensated transfers of assets — gifts to children, transfers to trusts other than approved Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts, sale of property below fair market value — within 60 months of the application date can result in a transfer penalty. The penalty period is calculated by dividing the transferred amount by Connecticut’s 2026 average private-pay nursing home cost (approximately $13,879/month statewide; higher in Fairfield County). For example, an uncompensated transfer of $100,000 would result in a penalty period of approximately 7.2 months during which Medicaid will not pay for nursing home care. Strategic pre-planning with an elder law attorney 5+ years in advance can legally preserve assets through irrevocable Medicaid Asset Protection Trusts (MAPTs), spend-down on exempt assets (home repairs, prepaid funerals up to $10,000 each in Connecticut), and Medicaid-compliant annuities.

How to Apply for HUSKY — Step by Step

There are four ways to apply for HUSKY in 2026, and all paths route to the same DSS eligibility determination. The fastest method is online through Access Health CT, which provides real-time eligibility for MAGI categories (HUSKY A, B, D, and Covered CT) in most cases. HUSKY C applications (aged, blind, disabled) and Long-Term Care applications take 45-90 days because of the additional asset verification and clinical screening.

Documents You

Standard HUSKY Application Documents

• Social Security number for every household member applying (HUSKY requires SSN; emergency Medicaid is available for non-citizens regardless)
• Proof of identity — driver
• Proof of Connecticut residency — utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or DMV registration
• Proof of citizenship or qualified immigration status (green card, work permit, refugee documentation)
• Proof of income — last 4 pay stubs, most recent tax return, Social Security award letter, unemployment award letter, pension statements, child support paid (deduction)
• Proof of household composition — birth certificates of children, marriage certificate, custody papers
• Pregnancy verification (if applying for pregnant women coverage) — note from doctor or midwife
• For HUSKY C only: bank statements for past 60 months, property deeds, vehicle titles, life insurance policies, burial contracts, retirement account statements, trust documents
• For Long-Term Care: complete 5-year asset history, level-of-care determination from a physician, PASRR screening from a DSS-contracted assessor

Annual HUSKY Renewal — After the PHE Unwinding

During the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) from March 2020 through March 2023, all Medicaid programs nationwide were prohibited from disenrolling members for any reason — meaning HUSKY enrollment grew by more than 200,000 in Connecticut without renewals. Beginning April 2023 and continuing through 2026, Connecticut DSS has been working through the ‘unwinding’ process to redetermine eligibility for all HUSKY members on a rolling annual basis. As of 2026, normal annual renewal procedures are fully restored.

Each HUSKY member receives a pre-populated renewal form by mail in the month before their renewal date (the anniversary of their initial enrollment). For MAGI categories, DSS attempts ‘ex parte’ renewal first — automatically renewing eligibility using federal data sources (IRS, Social Security, Connecticut Labor Department wages). If income can be verified electronically and the household has not changed, no action by the member is required and coverage continues. If ex parte renewal fails, DSS mails Form W-1ER, which the member must complete and return within 45 days, along with current proof of income and any household changes. Members who fail to return the renewal lose coverage at the end of their renewal month but have a 90-day reconsideration period to provide documentation and have coverage retroactively restored.

HUSKY With Medicare — Dual Eligibility

Connecticut residents who qualify for both Medicare (age 65+ or disability-based) and HUSKY (low income) are ‘dual eligibles’. In these cases, HUSKY C wraps around Medicare — Medicare pays first for most services, and HUSKY C covers Medicare Part A and B premiums, deductibles, and 20% coinsurance, plus services Medicare doesn’t cover like dental, vision, hearing aids, NEMT, and long-term care. Dual eligibles also automatically receive the federal Low-Income Subsidy for Medicare Part D prescription drugs ($1.65 generic / $4.90 brand co-pays in 2026).

There are three sub-categories of Connecticut Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) administered through HUSKY C: QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) pays both premiums and cost-sharing for those at or below 100% FPL; SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) pays Part B premiums for those between 100-120% FPL; and ALMB (Additional Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) pays Part B premiums for those between 120-135% FPL with a small annual cap. Connecticut’s MSP asset limits ($9,660 single / $14,470 couple in 2026) are higher than the federal minimum, allowing more retirees to qualify. Apply through DSS Form W-1E or at any DSS field office.

HUSKY With Employer Coverage

Connecticut residents with low-wage jobs that offer employer health insurance can sometimes have BOTH HUSKY and employer coverage. HUSKY’s HUSKY Plus and HUSKY HIPP (Health Insurance Premium Payment) program will, in certain cases, pay the employee’s share of employer coverage premium when it is cost-effective for the state (i.e., when paying the premium and using employer coverage as primary insurance saves Connecticut money compared to paying full HUSKY costs). For children eligible for HUSKY A or B whose parent’s employer plan would cover them, HUSKY can wrap around the employer plan — covering co-pays, deductibles, and benefits the employer plan doesn’t include. To enroll in HIPP, contact DSS at 1-877-357-3268 after your initial HUSKY approval.

Finding a HUSKY Doctor or Dentist

Because HUSKY operates as a self-insured fee-for-service program rather than through private MCO networks, the ‘network’ is simply ‘every Connecticut Medicaid-enrolled provider.’ Most major Connecticut health systems — Hartford HealthCare, Yale New Haven Health, Trinity Health Of New England, Nuvance Health, Stamford Health, and the state’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) — accept HUSKY. The vast majority of pediatricians and family physicians participate. Where members sometimes encounter difficulty is with certain specialists (especially dermatology, ophthalmology, and adult psychiatry) and with high-end dental procedures, where Medicaid reimbursement rates lag commercial insurance.

To find a HUSKY provider, use the CHNCT provider directory at www.ct.gov/husky or call CHNCT Member Services at 1-800-859-9889. For dental, use the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership directory at www.ctdhp.org or call 1-866-420-2924. For behavioral health, use the Carelon Behavioral Health directory at carelonbehavioralhealth.com/ct-medicaid or call 1-877-552-8247. Connecticut’s 17 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) — Community Health Center Inc., Cornell Scott-Hill Health Center, Optimus Health Care, Charter Oak Health Center, and others — also serve as guaranteed HUSKY access points and accept walk-ins regardless of insurance status.

HUSKY vs Access Health CT Marketplace — Which Is Better?

If you qualify for HUSKY based on income, HUSKY is almost always the better financial option than a Marketplace Qualified Health Plan (QHP). HUSKY costs $0/month with $0 deductibles and $0 co-pays; the cheapest Marketplace Silver plan in Connecticut after maximum subsidies still typically costs $50+/month with a $1,000+ deductible for households just above the HUSKY income limit. HUSKY also includes adult dental, vision, and NEMT, which most Marketplace plans do not include for adults. The only situation where Marketplace coverage might be preferable is if you have a specific provider (typically a specialist or an out-of-state academic medical center) who does not accept Connecticut Medicaid — but this is rare in Connecticut given the broad provider participation.

Common HUSKY Mistakes Connecticut Families Make

Avoid These Common HUSKY Errors

• Not applying because they assume they earn too much — HUSKY A children
• t realize it.
• Failing to update address with DSS — the #1 cause of lost coverage during the 2023-2026 unwinding.
• Missing the 45-day renewal deadline — set calendar reminders; you have a 90-day reconsideration period but coverage gaps can be costly.
• Not reporting income changes promptly — HUSKY requires reporting income or household changes within 10 days; late reporting can result in overpayments you must repay.
• Choosing a non-HUSKY provider when a HUSKY provider was available — uncovered services can result in unexpected bills.
• Confusing HUSKY B family contributions with cost — HUSKY B Band 2 charges $30/child/mo capped at $50/family, NOT per-visit premiums.
• Transferring assets within 5 years of needing Long-Term Care HUSKY C — triggers the look-back penalty; consult an elder law attorney.
• Assuming non-citizen ineligibility — children, pregnant women, and certain qualified non-citizens (LPRs after 5 years, refugees, asylees) DO qualify for HUSKY.
• Not enrolling newborns within 30 days — newborns of HUSKY-eligible mothers get automatic 12-month HUSKY A enrollment but only if reported to DSS within 30 days of birth.
• Cancelling HUSKY when starting a new job — wait until your employer coverage is actually effective; HUSKY can run concurrently for a short overlap period.

Real 2026 Connecticut HUSKY Eligibility Scenarios

Scenario 1: Single Adult, Hartford — HUSKY D

Scenario 2: Family of 4, New Haven — HUSKY A for Kids

Scenario 3: Family of 4, Stamford — HUSKY B + Covered CT

Scenario 4: Retired Couple, Waterbury — HUSKY C MSP

Scenario 5: Pregnant Single Mom, Bridgeport — HUSKY A

Scenario 6: Long-Term Care, Greenwich — HUSKY C with Spousal Protection

Frequently Asked Questions About HUSKY 2026

Frequently Asked Questions